openspec-apply

name	openspec-apply
description	Implement tasks from an OpenSpec change. Use when the user wants to start or continue implementing a proposed change.
argument-hint	Change name or slug (e.g., "add-dark-mode"). If omitted, will prompt for selection.
license	MIT
metadata	{"author":"copilot-template","version":"2.0"}

Implement tasks from an OpenSpec change in openspec/changes/.

---

Step 1: Identify the change

If a name is provided, look for openspec/changes/<name>/ or openspec/changes/<date>-<name>/.

If no name is provided:

• List directories in openspec/changes/ (excluding archive/)
• If only one active change exists, use it and announce: "Using change: "
• If multiple exist, ask the user to select

Step 2: Read context

Read these files from the change directory:

• proposal.md — goals, scope, decisions
• specs/<capability>/spec.md — requirements and acceptance criteria
• tasks.md — task list and completion status

If any file is missing, report which one and ask the user for its location. Do not confabulate contents.

Show current progress: "N/M tasks complete — working on: "

Step 3: Classify change size

• Quick (≤3 tasks, ≤50 lines changed, no new files): skip full self-verification and auto-review — run a lightweight logic check instead.
• Standard (everything else): run all verification and review steps.

Step 4: Implement tasks

CRITICAL: Follow tasks.md literally. Never reinterpret or regenerate tasks. Never invent field names, API types, or schemas that don't exist in the actual source code.

For each pending task:

1. Announce which task is being worked on
2. Read every source file to be modified — in full — before making any change
3. Grep for every field/type name before using it. If a name cannot be found: STOP, report what's missing, ask the user
4. Make the code changes
5. Every task MUST result in actual file edits — if a task produces zero edits, it is not complete
6. Mark complete in tasks.md: - [ ] → - [x]

Pause if: task is unclear, implementation reveals a design issue, or an error is encountered.

Step 5: Self-verification (standard changes only)

Before invoking the Reviewer:

1. Feature inventory: compare modified files against their original (git show HEAD:<path>). List features: PRESERVED or REMOVED. Restore any removed without explicit spec request.
2. Spec text match: re-read the spec. Verify every requirement is implemented. Flag mismatches.
3. i18n checks (if project uses i18n): verify new/changed keys exist in all language files.

Fix any failures before proceeding.

Step 6: Review gate (standard changes only)

Invoke @Reviewer (VS Code) or run /project:review (Claude Code).

• If REQUEST_CHANGES: add findings as new tasks under a "Review Fixes" heading in tasks.md. Implement fixes, then re-review changed files only.
• Circuit breaker: after 3 review cycles on the same area, STOP and ask the user.
• If APPROVE: proceed to build verification.

Lightweight gate (quick changes): Run a targeted logic check on changed files. Fix issues before build verification.

Step 7: Build verification

Read .github/copilot-instructions.md for the project's build/quality commands. Run them in documented order. Fix failures and re-run.

If commands are not documented, ask the user.

Step 8: Report

## Implementation Complete

**Change:** <change-name>
**Progress:** N/N tasks complete

### Completed This Session
- [x] Task 1
- [x] Task 2

All tasks complete. Ready to archive — run openspec-archive.

If paused:

## Implementation Paused

**Progress:** N/M tasks complete

### Issue
<description>

**Options:**
1. <option>
2. <option>

Guardrails

• Read all context files before starting
• Keep changes minimal and scoped to each task
• Pause on errors, blockers, or unclear requirements — never guess
• Update task checkbox immediately after completing each task
• Touch only files in the task scope — no drive-by improvements

Red Flags

• Tasks marked done with zero file edits
• More than 100 lines written without running build/tests
• Skipping self-verification because "changes are small"
• Touching files outside task scope "while I'm here"
• Build or tests broken between tasks and not immediately fixed